This guide highlights experiences closer to the venue

Echo Canyon Trail (1.5 hr)- Pros: beautiful red rock scenery, easy parking to navigate with overflow lot, marked trailheads, more shaded areas, never seen rattlesnakes, scorpions, or killer bees on this trail.

Cons: more challenging compared to the Cholla Trail with a consistent rock scramble after the first .5 miles. Going down this route is more challenging on your knees and there are areas that require rope/pole guidance to hoist yourself up/down the trail.

Cholla Trail (1 hr)- Pros: Mild Elevation Gain for the first mile, rapidly increases to a rock scramble for the last .5 miles of the hike. Definitely recommend this way up for more scenic views of the city and more relaxing route down. We have never seen rattlesnakes, scorpions, or killer bees on this trail :)

Cons: The parking is more challenging to navigate since it only offers street parking and the scramble on this side has less guard rails/traction which can make it very easy to slip. In addition to this, once you hit the scramble, the trail is not marked well... so be on the lookout!

Sunrise Peak Trail (2 hrs: 3.5. miles- 1100 ft elevation gain)- Pros: Beautiful scenery and lookout points + close proximity to Scottsdale. We saw no rattlesnakes, scorpions, or bees on this trail.

Cons: very rocky!

1.5 hr

Pros: Wonderful views, never seen rattlesnakes, scorpions, or killer bees on this trail, scenery offers more craggy grey mountain rocks in comparison to Camelback Peak, easy parking, more consistent elevation gain with no rock scrambles.

Cons: 1100 ft Elevation gain

3 hrs

Pros: Easy Parking, great views of Scottsdale, mild hike, dogs allowed

Cons: WE DID SEE 3 RATTLESNAKES ON THIS TRAIL

2 hrs

Pros: easy parking, dog-friendly, well-marked trailheads, easy hike, unnoticeable elevation gain over the distance, panoramic views of Scottsdale, we did not see rattlesnakes, killer bees, or scorpions on this trail.

Cons: somehow had more rocky terrain that the other hikes.. make sure you are wearing the right shoes :)

2.5 hrs

Pros: beautiful scenery throughout the entire hike, easy parking, dog-friendly, well-marked trails, views from the south mountain preserve (panoramic views of tempe and mesa), did not see rattlesnakes, scorpions, or killer bees on this trail

Cons: light rock scrambles at the "Fat Man's Pass", longer hike (5+ miles), 35-45 min drive from Scottsdale

4 hr

Pros: WONDERFUL VIEW (best we have had so far), dog-friendly (but please DO NOT bring your dog or anything you love on this trail), we did not see rattlesnakes, killer bees, or scorpions on this trail, easy parking

Cons: far away, horribly marked trails, elevation gain 5000 ft, rock scrambles after the first 1 mile of the hike, please wear the proper shoes if you are going to do this trail - it will require a lot of downward momentum and finding footing on the rocks, do your research before going here!

2nd Tuesday of the month - Community Day - Free Admission

easy wheelchair rental :) - can definitely do between 4-5 hours

12 lit Pickle-ball Courts, a sand volleyball court, baseball field, and park

This will take a lot of time to get through and it is far from phoenix. In our opinion, this is better than the phenix zoo if you have time though!

Horseback Riding

pickle-ball courts

Dog Park, Baseball Fields, Botanical garden, walking trails, and swimming pool

this will be an easy W if you're playing against Nick...

ATV RENTALS!!!

CHILAQUILES!

Coffee and Sweets <3